Tura:
Assembly Speaker and North Tura MLA, Thomas A Sangma has said on Thursday that mass plantation drive should be occasionally organised as forest cover and drying up of streams are now a common sight in the region.
Addressing the gathering amidst heavy downpour during the launch of the District Plantation Mission at Tosekgre Government LP School under Rongram C&RD Block, West Garo Hills district, Sangma on a lighter note said though it is raining cats and dogs, all are calm since people had experienced a long drought.
Meanwhile, the West Garo Hills, Deputy Commissioner Jagdish Chelani highlighted on the importance of the preservation of environment, trees and streams in the region adding that people have witnessed in the last few days without rain and drying up of water sources with increasing temperatures. Mentioning that due to decreasing forest cover in the region, the area is more prone to landslides and drying up of streams and therefore stressed on the need to preserve the environment. He urged the people to plant trees, especially bamboo plants since it not only helps to retain water but also helps prevent soil erosion.
Sangma along with other dignitaries also planted bamboo saplings near the river at Tosekgre. Officials also demonstrated on planting of black pepper, red banana and bamboo during the plantation mission.
In the simultaneous program that was held at the same venue, Sangma also inaugurated the new school building of Tosekgre Government Lower Primary School.
The North Tura MLA also informed that about 64 schools of the district would be covered under infrastructure upgradation project in phase 1, out of which 14 schools have been selected for the project from North Tura. He then explained that these infrastructure projects are being implemented in the State since many government schools are in a dilapidated condition resulting in many parents not sending their wards to these schools. Sangma added these infrastructure upgradation can make students comfortable while studying. He also expressed hope that the new school building caters to the needs of the student and provide favorable environment in future.
It may be mentioned that the new school building was completed with a sanctioned amount of Rs 37,02,028.
Tura Municipal Board chairman, JD Sangma; project director and West Garo Hills Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dolrich B G Momin; Block Development Officer Rongram C&RD Block, Tadingchi Sangma; sub-divisional school education officer, Samuel Marak and Tura APO, Sarlia Marak  were among others whole spoke on the occasion.
Eco-Development Society chairman, Tura Mathias N Marak; sub-divisional officer (Civil), Jengjal Sub-division Leena Daring; Tura Municipal Board former chairman, Cyrus Tangseng D Shira; officials of other departments, Nokmas and people of the area were present during the function.